TH SLIP-ON LX (PENDLETON)

$120.00

As most people know, when Vans were first starting out, and the entirety of their business was housed in an Anaheim storefront, customers could have custom shoes manufactured from fabric of their choosing. With that bit of the Vans legacy in mind, the Vans x Taka Hayashi x Pendleton collaboration has to be considered something of a holy grail when it comes to working with custom fabric to produce unique shoes.

Oregon based Pendleton have been in business since the late 19th century. They are proficient all across the classic outdoors gear market, but are best known for their colorful, Native American print blankets. Featuring patterns sourced from Native tribes throughout the American west, the blankets have been a cornerstone of the Pendleton name since the earliest days of the company.

Add Japanese artist, and frequent Vans collaborator Taka Hayashi into the mix, and the project becomes truly extraordinary. His upscale fashion, idiosyncratic approach to shoe design has already turned many heads. For this collaboration, the pronounced moccasin influences play perfectly into the classic, western aesthetic.

A Taka Hayashi painting, featuring a Southwestern motif, has been made into a Pendleton blanket. Besides acting as a stand alone part of the collection, the blanket serves as the basis for the Slip On LX and Sk8 Huarache LX, which feature hand cut portions of the Taka Hayashi work, ensuring that no two pairs are exactly alike.